Even though Apple has left them in the dark, it did not stop Three to get its hands on the iPhone - by making you get it from another carrier. It tells you to buy a pre-paid version of the phone and pay the $80 to get it unlocked so it can work with their network.

This would set you back $809 for the 8GB, since it costs $729, and $949 for the 16GB version, since it costs $849 for it. The good news is that the 3 will pay you back $300 just for bringing the phone to them. After that, the plans get better over at 3.

While the $49 cap will allow you 1GB and $350 worth of Calls, SMS and "more", all the other plans will allow you to have 2GB of data. There is a 10c/MB charge if you go over that limit. All are under a 24 month contract.

There are some catches, however, like:

• Your cap includes up to $100 of international calls, video calls, SMS, voicemail, 1300 and 1800 numbers and directory assistance.
• You will need to pay $1.65 per MB if you roam on Telstra’s coverage area - since there are a lot of black spots in its coverage.
• If you disconnect within the 24 months, you will need to pay $49 or $50 per remaining month, depending on your plan that you have on the remaining months.

Remember, these are not sanctioned by Apple; so its Three’s fault if your iPhone screws up - which is unlikely, but I just like warning people of false fears.

It has been confirmed the Optus, Vodafone and Telstra will sell the Blackberry Bold, but only Optus and Telstra have confirmed plans.

The Optus plans will have the phone at the earliest on August 20 for $10 a month over a 24 month contract under its Blackberry $79 cap plan.

The Blackberry features a half-VGA display, Wi-Fi, MicroSD card slot and a two-megapixel camera with a flash. It also features the signature QWERTY keyboard, known to give the "Blackberry Thumb", and GPS.

Telstra has previously announced its plans, offering the smartphone for no cost upfront for Business users.

Picture from Blackberry.

Blackberry fans can now rejoice after Telstra has lifted the curtain over its pricing and availability for the new, long-awaited Blackberry Bold smartphone.

It will offer it from late September, and will offer it for $0 upfront. It has not, however, revealed any specific plans or how much will it cost and the total data usage included.

Following on what Optus did with the iPhone, you will need to register your interest via Telstra Business site or calling 1800 BUSINESS.

Like the iPhone, Optus and Vodafone are slated to carry the phone; with 3 also rumoured to get the smartphone - but all have remained tight lipped.

Picture from Blackberry.

A brand new report released by the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy has showed that its chosen filters could filter illegal content or block peer-to-peer networks, but it failed to identify content shared on the peer-to-peer (P2P) networks.

While it showed that ISP filtering technology were improving, the report detailed and highlighted several holes to automatically filter content that is shared over P2P.

The test tested out six products, none are not named, and all were able to block non-web protocol traffic (like instant messaging), all could not filter newsgroups - but only three could block them. The tests were conducted at Telstra’s Broadband eLab by Enex Testlabs.

The table is below (Source: ACMA).

A spokesperson for Communications Minister Senator Stephen Conroy has said that the department was expected to begin a live test before the end of the year, and will release an expression of interest to ISPs to conduct the test.

You can view the report here.

Australia is most likely going to see another carrier coming on board the iPhone bandwagon, joining Optus, Telstra and Vodafone - and it is not 3.

Virgin Mobile is said to pick up the phone, and rumour has it it will be selling it in the next two weeks. While a spokesperson for the company has denied the rumours (saying that they had "nothing to announce at this time"). It is also more likely to happen since Virgin Mobile is actually owned by Optus.

While it is owned by one of the carriers that carry the iPhone, it really does not mean that it could bring the iPhone to Virgin. But it looks like Virgin is getting ahead of themselves, already having a promotion up and ready for the iPhone - its just that it is not on the site just yet.

You need to scavenge through the source code. Just in case they delete it, we will post it below (click on it to make it bigger!).

3 has unveiled a brand new plan that offers 6GB of mobile 3G data for just $39/month. The offer will, however, require you to get a 24 month contract with the telco. However, it does come with a USB dongle, so you can use the 3G network on your laptop.

While it beats the previous "king" from Vodafone, which had 5GB for $39, it does not have better coverage than its competitors, but less. And if you are ‘unlucky’ to go out of the area and roam into Telstra’s territory, also known as their GSM network, you will pay fees of $1.65/MB.

The Pope has sent his first text message to thousands of World Youth Day pilgrims who had sign up to receive messages of divine "direction"; with Telstra erecting eight temporary base stations to allow pilgrims to send text messages to their friends and family.

As well, four giant digital "prayer walls" have been erected at four sites, the Opera House, the Domain, Darling Harbour and Randwick Racecourse. Those who have signed up to the messages will be able to send a message to the "prayer walls".

His message, for today, was: "Young friend, God and his people expect much from u because u have within you the Father’s supreme gift: the Spirit of Jesus - BXVI."

Telstra mobile customers can subscribe for free by texting the word "Pope" to 0400 495 111.

A Windows patch released by Microsoft last week has left call centres at Telstra and a local security software distributor flooded with enquiries after they lost their internet access after installing the update, which was to plug a security hole.

Customers using ZoneAlarm found that they had lost their connection altogether, forcing the company to say that it was "incompatible" with ZoneAlarm and the maker, Checkpoint, had released a patch for the problem.

Microsoft’s spokewoman has said to Australian IT that they had published instructions for addressing the problem, but did not reveal if the company will withdraw the patch from Windows Update temporarily.

Analysts over at Citibank have said that Optus offers the most flexible and best value deals for the iPhone, which will go on sale tomorrow at midnight at Optus’ store in Sydney.

The iPhone plans from Optus offer a no upfront cost on their $79 cap, which includes $550 worth of calls and 700MB of data each month, with all calls are charged 35 cents per 30 seconds with 35 cents of flagfall. Comparing that with Vodafone, it will only offer the iPhone for free at a $169 cap plan. Telstra, however, will offer its $80 plan with the free iPhone, however it will include $70 of calls and 5MB of data.

However, all plans will not go over 1GB of data, as it is expected that customers won’t be able to download iTunes content on the mobile networks, but on the Wi-fi networks.

After 16 years of competition on the telecommunications industry, Optus has said in a submission to the government on the regulation of the fibre-optic broadband network.

It has said that "16 years after deregulation, Telstra continues to dominate the fixed-line sector and the current regulatory framework has proved to be incapable of effectively regulating". Telstra currently resells the network to all telecommunication rivals, since it was partly owned by the government.

While many have established their own networks, it does require some money to start up the network and most of them are limited to a certain area; unlike the one Telstra owns as it covers the entire country.

More can be found on The Age’s article.